Texas Health Fort Worth Enhancing Cardiac Care with Advanced Technology

FORT WORTH, Texas - Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth has been recognized as one of the top facilities participating in an international study focused on consistently meeting the needs of patients at high risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. The hospital is tied at No. 5 with Mayo Clinic for the highest enrollment numbers among U.S. hospitals.

In the study, an FDA-approved device called an extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (EV-ICD) monitors the heart and provides therapy for ventricular arrhythmias, which is a life-threatening abnormal heartbeat occurring in the lower heart chambers, known as ventricles. Unlike a traditional ICD, which is placed inside the heart through a vein, the EV-ICD is placed outside the heart, with a lead placed underneath the breastbone and the ICD generator placed on the left side of the chest.

Globally, more than 30 facilities are contributing to the Enlighten Study to evaluate the safety and performance of the latest cardiac device used to treat ventricular arrhythmias.

"The ability to offer lifesaving defibrillator therapy without placing leads inside the heart or veins represents a major advancement for our patients," said Theodore Takata, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist with Texas Health Physicians Group (THPG)* who is on the Texas Health Fort Worth medical staff. "After the procedure, there are no restrictions on left arm movement. For young adults and athletes who wish to maintain an active lifestyle, this is a significant benefit."

With just 14 facilities in the U.S. participating in the study, Takata said patients are traveling to Texas Health Fort Worth for EV-ICD therapy. Takata said more than 1,000 patients are collectively enrolled in the five-year study.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with more than 450,000 attributed to sudden cardiac death, and sudden cardiac death from ventricular arrhythmias is a leading cause of death across the globe. Unfortunately, sudden cardiac death from ventricular arrhythmias accounts for 15-20% of all deaths in the U.S. and other highly developed countries.

This innovative type of ICD technology brings continued safe and reliable care for those patients at risk for sudden cardiac death, said Sunita Koshy-Nesbitt M.D. MBA a clinical cardiac electrophysiologist.

"Diagnosing and timely treatment of deadly arrythmias is a key clinical tool in the fight against cardiovascular disease," said Koshy-Nesbitt, who also serves as Texas Health's Hospital Channel chief quality officer and as chief medical and quality officer for THPG.

The EV-ICD continuously monitors the heart. If a fast, irregular rhythm is recognized, the device corrects it by sending a small electrical signal. If the rhythm remains erratic, the device sends an electric shock, or defibrillation, to the heart.

In addition to performing the procedure at Texas Health Fort Worth, Takata serves as a national faculty instructor. He was one of just three U.S. physicians recently invited to help launch and proctor doctors on the EV-ICD technology in China.

Jared Shelton, FACHE, Texas Health Fort Worth president, said the project goes beyond positioning the hospital on an international stage.

"The priority is to use advanced technology to enhance patient safety and get them back to their loved ones and a better quality of life," Shelton said.

"The dedicated care team at Texas Health Fort Worth, which includes our specialized nursing and technical team, is helping define the future of cardiac rhythm management across North Texas and beyond."

To learn more about Texas Health Resources providing advanced medical care that addresses heart rhythm disorders, click here.

*Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health Resources hospitals.